State-Wide Fracking Ban movement

Letter to the Florida Legislature

During the 2016-2017 Florida legislative session, we made great strides in the effort to ban Fracking via SB442/HB451. We are writing you today to request a renewed effort to pass an Anti-Fracking bill during 2017-2018. In November 2018, we have another election. Past elections reveal pro-environmental issues pass in the State of Florida by a large voter majority.

Rationale for banning Fracking in Florida:

90 county and city ordinances banning fracking and resolutions opposing fracking and/or home rule preemption of fracking have been passed across the state. These local measures represent over 70% of our state’s population.

More than 59 organizations across the State of Florida are working to ban this method and protect Florida’s clean water

Numerous studies on health have shown statistical association between progressively worsening asthma symptoms and the patient’s proximity to natural gas fracking operations. Physicians for Social Responsibility have catalogued 900 studies on fracking: http://www.psr.org/resources/fracking-compendium.html

Across the country, minority communities are disproportionately affected by dirty oil and gas activities and infrastructure.

The geological strata of Florida is extremely porous; unlike any other state. The possibility of chemicals entering into our aquifers and affecting our drinking water is extremely high even with current fracking containment methodology.

Renewable Energy Technologies have shown to be less costly making us less reliant on fossil fuels. Renewable energy conforms to the Paris Climate Accord.

Position of Pro-Fracking Supporters:

Banning Fracking is a violation of property rights.

In May 2017, the Florida Supreme Court interpreted the Bert Harris Act in Hardee County vs. FINRII, Inc. The Court ruled that it is important to take into account the effect on the public community. This ruling is consistent with the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution based on the “taking”. (See Attached Randal Decker letter to FL House Majority Leader Hon. Richard Corcoran).

Banning fracking would not stop the landowner from exploring oil and gas on his/her property. The owner will still be allowed use of other conventional methods.

Fracking leads to energy independence.

Florida’s future is not dependent on fossil fuels. The sunshine state will see greater benefit by using renewable energy. The number of jobs created in the last years with renewable energy grew 178% to 260K jobs vs. fossil fuel’s 1.5%, 187K jobs. (Clean Technica, June 30, 2017, J. Ayre). See economic impact of Solar Energy below.

A plan where Natural gas as current source for producing energy to be transitioned to renewable energy should be provided during the next 2017-2018 legislative session. “Net Metering”, the agreement on price for surplus energy returned to the electrical grid, should be outlined by the legislature.

Sincerely,

Florida Citizens for Clean Water

Solar energy facts

Florida installed 404.7 MW of solar electric capacity in 2016, ranking 9th in the US (source).

A 2016 national consensus conducted by the Solar Foundation found that 1 higher wage solar job for every 50 jobs was created. The solar industry employs more than 8,260 Floridians (source); a 26% increase in 2016.

In 2016, the 5 states with the most solar jobs were Ca., MA, TX, NV and FL.

Approximately $1.5 billion was invested in solar in Florida and $524million in 2016 (source).

Price Declines: 64% over last 5 years (2011-2016).

If Florida installed 1,500 MW of solar capacity, as many as 45,000 direct jobs would be created in the industry. That’s on top of the 50,000 indirect jobs that would be generated for construction and installation (source).

Between 2016 and 2020, Florida is expected to install nearly 2,100 MW of solar electric capacity, which would make it the 8th most solar state in the US (source).